Garrett Grayson (18) looks for running room Saturday during CSU’s Green-Gold spring game, which drew about 7,000 fans to Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins. When the Rams open their season Sept. 2 against CU, wide receiver Marquise Law will be one of Grayson’s favorite targets. Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post

“It’s a team ‘in search of …’ a little bit,” McElwain said. “They have a lot of Leonard Nimoy in them right now. And yet I think that’s good because it takes some soul searching to be able to exactly define where you want to be, define who you are as a person and define what kind of character and accountability you have.”

Law has embodied that character.

“(He has) great work ethic,” said Rams offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin. “A great desire to be good. And he has shown mental and physical toughness. He is winning the job.”

Law followed up five catches for 63 yards in a scrimmage last week with four receptions for 49 yards Saturday. A couple of drops late in the game dampened things, but in 15 practices Law went from an afterthought to an expected starter when CSU opens its 2012 season Sept. 2 against Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver.

“He’s got MVP of this spring in my eyes,” said quarterback Garrett Grayson. “From last year to this year, he’s just a completely different guy.”

Last year, Law caught only three passes in eight games. He was a starter at the beginning of the season but faded into a bit player by the end.

“I was pretty low,” Law said of his confidence. “I started out a starter and then I wasn’t playing that much, and then we weren’t throwing the ball that much, and for any receiver that would be bad.”

But Law didn’t let it keep him down. The new coaching staff injected life into the team, and Law was arguably the biggest beneficiary.

“When times were hard for me, I was still working hard,” Law said. “They always say it’s what you do when nobody’s looking. Every time I got a chance, and on (school) breaks I didn’t go home. I was going to work out and stayed focused on the goal, and that’s winning a lot of games for this team next season.”

During the 15 practices, Law said he “just had this mentality that everything that’s in the air is mine. Even the cornerbacks are looking at me like, ‘Man, it’s crazy to go against you now. It’s like a whole different person.’ “

Said cornerback Momo Thomas: “This year he’s started balling like I’ve never seen him balling before.”

For a team that made strides during the spring but has a long way to go to be the team McElwain envisions, players such as Law provide hope for a faster turnaround from a 3-9 record in each of the last three seasons.

Still, McElwain said: “It isn’t going to happen overnight, as much as I’d like to say it will. It’s a process, and I think the right guys are in the room right now to take the process forward.”

Christopher Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com

Csu spring roundup

THREE THINGS THAT GOT BETTER

1. Garrett Grayson: It’s been a spring of growth for the rising sophomore. CSU coaches were looking for leadership from him, and they’re getting it. He also added 10 pounds.

2. Running backs: This position has proved to be the deepest of any on the CSU roster. Chris Nwoke continues to impress, and new offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin says there are six good options here.

3. Comprehension and buy-in: It took a few practices, but players bought in and started to get everything the coaching staff is asking on a day-to-day basis, from practices to the basic concepts of the new offensive and defensive systems.

THREE THINGS THAT STILL MUST IMPROVE

1. Chemistry: This is the first go-round for these players under the new coaching staff, and there have been considerable snags. Summer fieldwork and film study is a must to hit the ground running in August.

2. Defensive line: This is one of the thin positions for the Rams, and while coaches are optimistic things will improve during the season, another recruiting cycle is needed to sufficiently fix deficiencies.

3. Overall depth: Injuries gutted a few positions — offensive line, tight end and H-back — but CSU gets those guys back in preseason camp. They will need to get up to speed quickly to catch up on all that they missed.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS FALL

1. Marquise Law: He was a breakout star in spring camp and will be needed to boost a wide receiving corps looking for a consistent threat.

2.Shaq Barrett: Steady as usual, Barrett — last season’s leading tackler — is back and continuing to grow. He will anchor the defense this year.

3. Crockett Gillmore: A Mackey Award candidate last season, Gillmore missed spring camp with an injury. But he will be counted on as a key part of the CSU passing game in the fall.

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.